32BJ SEIU Formally Endorses James Solomon At Friday Rally

Jersey City NJ

08 October, 2021

8:47 PM

Description

JERSEY CITY, NJ —The 32BJ SEIU, the largest union of property service workers in the U.S., formally endorsed Ward E Councilman James Solomon's re-election bid at a Friday afternoon rally in Hamilton Park. Representatives for the Solomon campaign called the endorsement, which was announced on social media Thursday, another sign of their candidate's growing momentum in the race against Jersey City Municipal Prosecutor Jake Hudnut. This election is about building more affordable and good paying jobs in Jersey City. I am proud to fight alongside @32BJSEIU to make that happen! pic.twitter.com/X8WqJErJVe— James Solomon (@SolomonforJC) October 8, 2021 Solomon already had been endorsed by the New Jersey Working Families Party (NJWFP), the Downtown Small Business Owners and the Harsimus Cove Neighborhood Association this week. Our Revolution endorsed him last week. At the rally, Solomon said he was proud to accept the endorsement from the SEIU 32BJ, which has 175,000 members, mainly in the Northeast. The union primarily represents cleaners, property maintenance workers, doormen, security officers, window cleaners, building engineers and school and food service workers, in addition to some railroad and factory workers. "This election is about building a more affordable Jersey City and I am proud to fight alongside SEIU 32BJ to make that happen," Solomon said. Solomon continued: "The working families of Jersey City understand we can't go back to a time when developers planned our city, and as council member I have fought to make sure we have truly affordable housing, better and more schools, stronger ethics laws and a more resilient downtown that is ready for the impacts of climate change." Kevin Brown, executive vice president and New Jersey state director for 32BJ, had been part of a group of SEIU 32BJ workers canvassing for Solomon and incumbent At-Large Councilman Rolando Lavarro on Oct. 2. Knocking doors in Jersey City @SolomonforJC and @RLavarro! https://t.co/DwKHlJKwQo— Kevin R. Brown (@KevinBrown32BJ) October 2, 2021 On Friday, Brown explained why the union was endorsing Solomon. "Thanks to council members like James Solomon, we see a Jersey City for all is possible," Brown said. "(Solomon) is committed to advancing the lives of Jersey City's working families and has fought alongside our members for dignity and justice at the workplace. We look forward to continuing working together on these goals." The rally came one day after the SEIU 32BJ announced other endorsements in the Nov. 2 Jersey City municipal elections, including for Lavarro. On Thursday, the SEIU also endorsed Mayor Steven Fulop, who is running for a third term, and several members of his slate: Jermaine Robinson, incumbent Ward F councilman, Joyce Watterman, incumbent at-large councilwoman, Amy DeGise, who is running for an at-large council seat, Denise Ridley, incumbent Ward A councilwoman, Rich Boggiano, incumbent Ward C councilman, Mira Prinz-Arey, incumbent Ward B councilwoman and Yousef Saleh, incumbent Ward D councilman @DeniseRidleyJC @miramira4 @RichardBoggiano @yousefjsaleh pic.twitter.com/Nh5X6lx2M1— 32BJ SEIU (@32BJSEIU) October 7, 2021 The election is Nov. 2, but early voting will take place from Oct. 23-31.